The nurse understands that empathy is essential to the therapeutic relationship. When a client makes the statement, "I am just devastated that my marriage is falling apart," the nurse can best show empathy through which of the following responses?
"I have been divorced, too. I know how hard it is."
"It will get better; let's talk about it."
"You feel like your world is falling apart right now."
"I feel so bad for what you are going through."
The Correct Answer is C
A. Sharing personal experiences shifts the focus from the client to the nurse and is not therapeutic.
B. Offering reassurance such as “It will get better” minimizes the client’s feelings and may block expression.
C. “You feel like your world is falling apart right now” reflects the client’s feelings back, showing understanding and empathy while encouraging further expression.
D. Saying “I feel so bad” expresses sympathy rather than empathy, focusing on the nurse’s feelings instead of validating the client’s experience.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Cultural factors are the most influential because culture shapes a person’s worldview, values, traditions, and norms, which strongly determine health beliefs and practices.
B. All of these are equally influential is incorrect because culture is considered the overarching framework within which interpersonal and individual factors are interpreted.
C. Interpersonal factors (family, friends, support) do influence health beliefs, but they are often guided by cultural norms.
D. Individual factors (knowledge, age, education) also matter, but they are filtered through cultural values.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Changing the subject is correct because the nurse shifted the focus away from the client’s expressed feelings about being ignored to an unrelated topic (stress reduction classes).
B. Offering advice involves telling the client what to do, which did not occur here.
C. Disapproving would convey judgment about the client’s behavior or feelings, which is not present in this response.
D. Challenging means questioning or disputing the client’s feelings or perceptions, which also is not shown in this scenario.
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